Scene in Manchester: Hollywood, healing at Kriss Cosmetics

As The Scene wrote a while ago, Hollywood has come knocking on Kriss Soterion-Blevens' door with plans for a reality show based on the work she does at her company Kriss Cosmetics. A production crew was recently here for two days to gather footage for a pilot episode.

Soterion-Blevens said there are three networks who have expressed interest in buying the show, which has a name that contractually cannot be revealed. From the beginning, she said she wanted the show to be "inspirational not drama."

"I have told the universe, 'Bring it on'," Soterion-Blevens said.

The filming focused on three local clients all dealing with personal challenges, such as illness and family tragedy. Soterion-Blevens uses her talent as a cosmetic artist to help reveal their outer beauty and her spiritual gifts to connect with them personally, reveal their inner beauty and help them find their joy for living. If she gets a deal, she plans to spend time working with clients here and also head out on the road in a tour bus to help people across the country.

She recently expanded her 30 Elm St. studios and has the responsibilities that come with being a wife and mother. How does Soterion-Blevens keep it all together? Well, besides an amazing staff, it's through meditation.

"All the answers come when we quiet down," Soterion-Blevens said.

She and her sales and marketing director Cathy Vannest said they both stay connected to spirit through daily meditation, and they want to share the physical, emotional and mental healing they've experienced with other women in this city. That's why they've recently opened a "meditation sanctuary." The room, which has some cozy couches and a small water fountain, is open during business hours to anyone seeking solace. Soterion-Blevens and Vannest also plan to start teaching free meditation classes there sometime this month.

Mark Mulcahy and the crew over at Keller Williams Realty Metropolitan are getting ready for their sixth annual raffle and auction fundraiser next week.

For $50 you get appetizers, a couple of drinks and inclusion in a raffle for $2,500. You can also get some really great silent and live auction items, including weekend getaways, sporting events and gift baskets.

Don't tell DCYF, but last year Mulcahy and his wife, Kay, auctioned off their four children. I hear that Jim Prieto of Residential Mortgage Services, Inc. actually paid a couple hundred dollars to take the elementary school-age children for a day, but never redeemed his prize. I can't imagine why.

In the previous five years, this event has raised $65,000 for local charities, including Camp Allen, Manchester Boys and Girls Club, The Moore Center, The Salvation Army and many others. Keller Williams also uses the money to provide scholarships to local high school students every year.

This year Dave Cummings, founder of Hoops for Heroes, will be shooting free throws in a basketball net setup outside Fratello's. In 2011 Cummings completed his two-year mission of completing a million free throws as a way to bring attention to and raise money for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. So far, he has raised more than $80,000 and he will continue his fundraising efforts at the Nov. 15 event as Keller Williams, Residential Mortgage Services, Monarch Title Services and Boyd and Boufford Insurance all donate money for every shot he makes during the event.

The fun runs from 5 to 9 p.m. With 190 agents, there's a chance you know someone who works for Keller Williams Metropolitan who can get you tickets. But, if not, you can buy tickets at the door or by emailing dlevine@kw.com.

Not Your Grandma's Craft Fair

Not Your Grandma's Craft Fair doesn't say it's holiday-related, but let's be honest, it's a great place to start your shopping! Last year's first-ever fair at McDonough Elementary School was a success, so the organizers are returning again this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. You probably won't find any doilies or potholders here. But if you do, they will surely be the coolest doilies and potholders you've ever seen.

The website, www.notyourgrandmascraftfair.org, shows more than 50 expected vendors of jewelry, art, clothing, accessories and products for your body, mind, home, family and pets. Admission and parking are both free.

Everybody's getting Footloose at the Palace Theatre. This weekend marks the final showings of this musical, based on the hit movie starring Kevin Bacon. The story is about a town where dancing isn't allowed. Thank goodness that's not the case in the Queen City, because people will undoubtedly be dancing in their seats during this show. You can see it Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Visit www.nh365.org for more information about this and other events.

If you have an interesting item for Scene in Manchester, email it to scene@unionleader.com